Ricky Vargas has been elected as the new president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the federation announced on Tuesday.

The concurrent Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) chairman and former SBP vice-president replaced long-time SBP head Al Panlilio, who can no longer run for the position under the new by-laws of the country’s basketball governing body.

Businessman and sports patron Manuel V. Pangilinan was elected chairman with June Cheryl Chaye Cabal-Revilla as vice-chair. Robert Uy will serve as vice-president, Marievic Anonuevo as corporate, Lennie Nocum was voted treasurer, while Erika Dy remains as SBP executive director.

Vargas, who once headed the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP), expressed optimism about the organization’s direction under the new leadership.

“This new SBP Board is a healthy mix of wisdom-filled veterans and passionate young leaders who share a common purpose — to build a stronger, more unified future for Philippine basketball,” said the former Philippine Olympic Committee president.

“We’re setting the foundation for the next generation of sports leaders to continue the growth and excellence that Filipino basketball is known for,” added Vargas, who is the chef de mission of the Philippines in the 2029 Los Angeles Olympics.

Panlilio will remain a valued member of the Board by virtue of his position as a FIBA Central Board Member, continuing to contribute his international experience and leadership to the federation.

Under the ratified SBP by-laws during the National Congress held on 9 May 2025, and their subsequent approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the SBP Board now consists of 17 seats, 13 of which were filled through an election among the federation’s 34 active members to ensure broad sectoral representation across Philippine basketball.

Elected as sectoral representatives were Paul Tristan Laus (North Luzon), Atty. Edgar Francisco (South Luzon), Uy (Visayas), Renauld Barrios (Mindanao), Jose Franco Soberano (youth sector), Bo Perasol, Manuel Raymund Castellano, and Frederick Altamirano (schools sector), Maria Vivian Manila (women’s sector) and Alfrancis Chua, Pangilinan, Vargas, and Archen Cayabyab (commercial and professional sector).

In accordance with the SBP’s by-laws, the remaining four seats were filled by the Board to complete the full composition. Two co-opted members, Jacob Ang and Cabal-Revilla, were appointed by the President, while Ryan Reyes was named player representative, and Peachy Cheng Medina was selected as the interim 3x3 representative pending the qualification of 3x3 member groups for active membership.

“This new SBP Board is a reflection of how far Philippine basketball has come — more inclusive, more representative, and more forward-looking. For the first time, we have three female trustees on the Board, even with fewer seats overall, ensuring that the voice of women in basketball continues to grow stronger,” Pangilinan said.

“The addition of player and 3x3 representatives further broadens our perspective. And with promising young leaders like Jacob Ang and Franco Soberano, we’re making sure that basketball development in the country never stops — it only grows deeper and more united.”

With this dynamic new composition, the SBP has reaffirmed its commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and nationwide growth as it continues to lead the Philippines on the global basketball stage.